AL: Royals first-base coach is attacked

CHICAGO -- Kansas City first-base coach Tom Gamboa was attacked by two bare-chested fans in the ninth inning Thursday night, making the Royals' 2-1 victory over the White Sox an afterthought.

Gamboa had a large cut on his forehead and was holding a towel to his face, but he walked off under his own power.

A bare-chested father and his juvenile son ran out of the seats. What seemed "like a football team" crashed into his back and knocked him to the ground. His left cheek was slammed into the turf, and his face absorbed blow after blow.

The entire Royals team and the White Sox rushed to Gamboa's aid.

The father and son were led off the field in handcuffs. White Sox spokesman Scott Reifert said their names will not be released until they are charged.

Reifert said the father will face a charge of aggravated felony assault for hitting Gamboa and a White Sox security guard, an off-duty Chicago police officer. The son, whose age was not made available, will face unspecified juvenile charges.

A folded-up pocket knife was found at the scene. White Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand said he saw it fall out of one of the fan's pockets.

Before the brawl, Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer and Paul Byrd became the first Royal to win 17 games since Kevin Appier won 18 in 1993.